‘Thor: The Dark World’ – Trailer Analysis

Marvel's Phase Two may be in full swing (no pun), but details or concrete evidence concerning Thor: The Dark World have been hard to find, beyond set photos and a plot synopsis.
But now that the official Thor 2 trailer has been released, fans can start truly speculating on the story that Marvel has in mind, and how it will play out on the big screen. We've decided to take a closer look at what's been shown, alluded to, foreshadowed, or hinted at in the trailer.
So from here on out, there may be potential spoilers for all readers (if our analysis is correct). You have been warned.

Magic Levitation

With the realm of Asgard, Norse mythology and limitless magic all at the filmmakers' disposal, it is a bit odd that the trailer begins with a child witnessing a gas tanker hovering feet off the ground. It's unclear if the truck is being lifted by the kids witnessing the physics-defying stunt, or if the truck has been rendered weightless, but regardless, something isn't right.
Strange magic and deception are all key elements of the source material The Dark World will be drawing from, so anything's possible. But given the later information revealed about this scene, it's likely that Malekith the Accursed is behind the stunt.
The truck is later seen on its side, surrounded by police and Jane Foster (Natalie Portman), leading us to believe that whatever happens, Thor soon discovers that the fight has already begun.

Cloaked in Shadow

The post-credits scene for The Avengers proved that Marvel really does enjoy keeping their villains behind a cloak of darkness, but given what we know of Thor 2, we'd bet these shots are of the Dark Elf Malekith (Christopher Eccleston). As the narration by Anthony Hopkins' 'Odin' informs us - and without going too in-depth into Norse mythology - it's safe to say that the Elves' history goes far, far into the past.
Exactly how the film version of Malekith will differ from the comic book isn't clear, but as was the case with Thor (2011), expect a good old-fashioned lust for power and rule to drive his desire. By the surroundings, we'd guess that these shots show the interior of Malekith's fortress or flagship, but the reason for his less-than-comfortable position is a mystery.
Either way, expect this moody setting to act as a suitable backdrop for the 'Dark Elf's dealings and scheming. We know he's the kind of villain who likes to get his hands dirty, but we also know he'll have other troops to order around as well.

London Attacked (Again)

We don't know what it is about London that movie super-villains just can't stand, but we'd recommend Brits take it as a compliment that launching an attack against the city means the whole planet will take notice.
In this case, it looks to be an otherworldly spacecraft doing the damage, even if it isn't pictured launching any weaponry, merely wreaking havoc on masonry (there's a ship seen firing in the trailer, but it doesn't appear to be this ship. Up to this point, the exact interaction that Malekith's forces and Earth would have has been largely unknown; this sequence seems to imply that Earth may fall under direct attack, offering context for set photos of Thor in London.The design of the ship seems to fit with Malekith's style, but your guess is as good as ours.

Thor's New Ride

There was never any doubt that Thor would be returning to Earth as promised, even if he did do it for The Avengers, arriving through undisclosed means and leaving with his wayward brother Loki by using the Tesseract. But in the trailer, he's clearly found a new way to get from point A to B.With the Bifrost ('rainbow bridge') destroyed at the climax of Thor, the film left fans wondering how Asgard and Earth would ever again be linked. It was hinted that Jane Foster (Portman) would uncover the secret, but it seems the solution is Asgardian in nature.The beam of light certainly looks the same as the Bifrost did (along with the runes left burned into the ground), so barring some clever exposition, the filmmakers may have realized that fans are more concerned with seeing Thor on Earth than the research required to make it happen. Well, most fans, anyway.

Three's a Crowd

While Thor's return to Earth may mean one heck of a vacation for Jane Foster, her arrival in Asgard isn't good news to everyone. The trailer makes it hard to miss Lady Sif (Jaimie Alexander) and what looks to be her somewhat suspicious gaze.
Alexander has talked at length about the history between Thor and Sif being a major theme in the upcoming sequel, and with such a strong hint supplied in the very first trailer, it may be playing an even larger role than we may have thought.
It's unlikely that Sif will do anything to remove Jane from the situation altogether (even if Sif and Thor are married in Norse mythology), but the love triangle between the three should give Alexander more time in the spotlight. And more of an opportunity to see if she's a good candiate to play Wonder Woman.

Shaky Alliance

One of the 'blink and you miss it' shots of the trailer shows not just an icy setting, but Thor, Jane Foster, and Loki travelling together. Loki's actions in The Avengers may make an alliance seem unlikely, but the trailer also shows that Loki isn't quite the villain he used to be.
So how do we explain the three of them traveling together? Well, previously-released spoilers from someone close to production help explain this scene: only Loki knows the way to access the 'dark side' of Asgard where Malekith sits plotting, so Thor must free him from bondage in exchange for guidance.
Why Jane is being brought along isn't clear, but with much of the talk about Loki centering on his possible redemption in The Dark World, it's hard to know if this shot reveals a trickster god already reformed, or simply biding his time.

Science and Magic

One of the most suspicious (and brightest) shots of the new trailer is one depicting a prone Jane Foster reclined on a bed of light, seemingly undergoing an intense experience. Since Asgardians aren't known for their tanning beds, this shot has us scratching our heads.
Foster's clothing definitely looks closer to that of Earth than the Asgardian finery she is seen wearing in other sections of the trailer, but both the light and her strange expression imply that the scene is one of magic and sorcery, not something here on Earth.
Is this the work of Thor's enemies, striking at his weakest spot, or does Jane's journey from Earth to Asgard entail more of a transformation than we previously thought?

Home Invasion

Before the first full look at Malekith's half-scorched face is given, viewers are treated to a close-up look at his stunning braid; but in the background, it certainly seems like Asgard' biggest threat has found his way into Odin's palace.
While the architecture seen behind the Dark Elf could be from anywhere in Asgard, it is likely no coincidence that both Jane Foster and Thor's mother Frigga (Rene Russo) seem taken off guard in what should be the safest place in the nine realms.
We don't know how deadly Frigga will be with the sword she's brandishing, but with rumors surrounding her relationship with both Thor and Loki, and massive spoilers about her character arc, this scene sets the stage for a heck of a fight.

Sacrifice

The climax of the trailer - and the justification for Thor's 'Noooooo!' - is Jane Foster helplessly suspended in the air, apparently at Malekith's mercy. A knowing look towards the camera, and Thor's pained cry would lead us (intentionally) to believe that his love is taken from him before his eyes.
Of course, that seems like a plot twist far too significant to reveal in the first teaser trailer. So before anyone uses this footage as ironclad proof of Jane Foster's death in the film, we'd remind you all that not all the normal rules apply in Asgard (remember 'the Odin sleep'?).
Jane may be hurt, killed, or even kidnapped, but with Odin's magic (both light and dark) at hand, nothing is forever. That being said, the filmmakers obviously want to send the message that just like in director Alan Taylor's previous job, no character is safe.

Conclusion

Those are the moments from the newest trailer that most stood out to us, even if the questions they raise far outnumber the answers.Hopefully the next trailer will go more into depth concerning Malekith, Loki, Jane and much, much more.
Be sure to share your own insights or theories in the comments.
———
Thor: The Dark World hits theaters on November 8, 2013.
Follow Andrew on Twitter @andrew_dyce.

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ALLaboutMarvel 1 year ago

While watching the IM3 red carpet premiere, many Marvel stars came through and were being interviewed. Jaimie Alexander was one of them. During the interview she brought up Thor 2, and said her character Sif would be making HUGE sacrifices for not only herself and the people (person) that mean the most (thor)to her, but for the loved ones OF the people (person) that mean the most (Jane Foster) SO a new plot twist in Thor 2 is that maybe Sif dies in order for thor and or Jane to live! Interesting. eh?

or Malekith kills her and Thor needs Loki to take him to Hell to save her thus introducing other realms besides the dark world and asgard and then Thor will have to use the hammer to transport him back to kinda lose the whole “bridge is the only way to get from realm to realm”

I just realised something pretty scary. I was watching The Avengers to get ready for Iron Man 3 when I realised something. The other (that creepy Lien dude with lotsa fingers) said to Loki that there will be no barren moon or crevice where you can hide if you fail him. Does that mean Thanos will be gunning for Asgard? I mean they have the staff, the teaser act and possibly the infinite gauntlet. And if my theory s true it makes alot more sense why a ship that looks almost identical to Thanos’s appears in the trailer.

I just realised something pretty scary. I was watching The Avengers to get ready for Iron Man 3 when I realised something. The Other (that creepy Alien dude with lotsa fingers) said to Loki that there will be no barren moon or crevice where you can hide if you fail him. Does that mean Thanos will be gunning for Asgard to get to Loki? I mean they have the staff, the tesseract and possibly the infinite gauntlet. And if my theory is true it makes alot more sense why a ship that looks almost identical to Thanos’s appears in the trailer.

I said the exact same thing Thanos goes to Asgard to find Loki and captures the Infinity gauntlet or Jane dies Thor uses Loki to take him to Hell and when loki tries to run Thanos catches him and uses him to steal the gauntlet Loki getting captured by thanos could be a good after credit scene the IM3 after credit scene was major disappointment

It might be that Malekith kills Jane, or is just another twist heh anyway, not bad idea if made correctly. I dont believe that is the Other in the beginning of the trailer, it’s Malekith (wearing same hood later scenes). I could be wrong also. I like that they have not shown Kurse yet either in trailers. Odin says about darkness, “it has survived” what does he mean? Malekith assumed to be dead? Thanos responsible for sending him to Asgard? This movie will be great